Sampling syringe

ABSTRACT

A sampling syringe for the collection and transport of a sample, particularly a fecal sample. The syringe comprises a syringe barrel into which the sample may be forced or aspirated by a plunger slidable therein. A sheath having a distal end of greater internal diameter than the external diameter of the barrel is slidable on the barrel and a cap sealingly closes both the distal ends of the barrel and sheath.

United States Patent 1191 Brush et al. Jan. 8, 1974 SAMPLING SYRINGE 3,702,653 11/1972 Mottin etal. 206/56 AA 3,008,570 11/1961 Roehr et a1. 206/43 [75] Inventors: Donald f Robe" Oswald, 3,509,771 5/1970 Moberg Ct at... 73/4215 R both of Ballwm, 2,724,385 11/1955 Lockhart 206/632 R [73] Assignee: Sherwood Medical Industries Inc.,

St. Louis, Mo. Primary Examiner-William T. Dixson, Jr.

[22] Filed: Mar. 22, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 236,877 STRACT [52] U S Cl 206/43 128/2 F A sampling syringe for the collection and transport of 51 Int CL:I:II:IIIZIKiiIb E/OO B6 5d 85/54 a Sample Particularly a fecal sample- The Syringe [58] Field Search 206/43 R 56 comprises a syringe barrel into which the sample may 12872 737421 5 be forced or aspirated by a plunger slidable therein. A sheath having a distal end of greater internal diameter than the external diameter of the barrel is slidable on [5 6] References Cited the barrel and a cap seallngly closes both the d1stal UNITED STATES PATENTS ends of the barrel and sheath. 3,107,785 10/1963 Roehr 206/43 3,519,390 7/1970 Dickey et al. 10 Claims, 4 Drawing Fi ures l SAMPLINGSYRINGE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present method of collection of fecal samples for analysis in a hospital or medical laboratory is a messy and time consuming precedure. This generally consists of obtaining a fecal sample in a container, such as a plastic cup, and then closing the mouth of the container with a lid for transport to the laboratory where the analysis will be performed. At the laboratory. the lid is removed from the container and a small specimen of the feces is removed from the container through the use of a pair of long wood sticks manipulated to capture a specimen therebetween. The sticks and fecal specimen are then advanced into a test tube containing a liquid preservative, and the sample is released into the liquid for later analysis. While it is desirable to totally emerse the entire sample within the preservative, it usually occurs that a portion of the sample will be scraped off the wood sticks as they are inserted into the test tube and will adhere to the inside walls of the test tube. In addition, this procedure is obviously time consuming and quite messy, and requires transport from the patient to the laboratory of a sample of unknown quantity, frequently of much greater size than is needed for analysis.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a sampling syringe, and more particularly a syringe for obtaining and transporting fecal specimens, which eliminates the aforementioned problems.

It is a further object of the invention to provide such 1 a sampling syringe which permits the use of a sample of known, predetermined size so that the ratio of the sample to the preservative is properly maintained, which permits collection and transportation of the sample in a clean and sterile manner, that is without contaminating the sample or the technician obtaining or analyzing the sample, and to provide such a sampling syringe which is characterized by simplicity of construction, low cost and case of operation and use.

In general, a syringe constructed in accordance with the present invention comprises a syringe barrel slidably receiving a plunger in the bore thereof. A tubular sheath is slidably received on the exterior of the syringe barrel. The distal end portion of the sheath is of greater internal diameter than the external diameter of the syringe barrel, and a cap is provided for closing the distal end of the sheath. Other objects and features will be part apparent in a part pointed out hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a longitudinal plan view of the sampling syringe of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the syringe of FIG. I.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the syringe of FIG. I.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal plan view of the syringe of this invention with the cap removed and the sheath and plunger withdrawn.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. I, the present sampling syringe is shown at 10 to comprise a cylindrical or tubular, elongate syringe barrel 12 having a plunger M slidably and sealingly received in the bore thereof. An outer sheath 16 is slidably received on the exterior of the syringe barrel I2, and a cap 18 is provided for closing the distal end portions of both the syringe barrel l2 and the sheath 16, as will be set forth more fully hereinafter.

More specifically, the syringe barrel I2 is shown to comprise an elongate cylindrical tube. formed of any suitable material such as plastic or glass, having open distal and proximal ends 20 and22, respectively. A calibration mark 23 may be provided on the barrel, for example at 1 cc, to indicate when a predetermined quantity of the sample has been collected.

The plunger 14 is of conventional construction comprising an elongate shaft 24 of suitable plastic material having a rubber piston 26 on its distal end and a laterally extending handle or flange 28 on its proximal end. The piston 26 is dimentioned to provide a sliding, sealing fit within the bore of the barrel 12, in a manner conventional in the syringe art. The shaft of the plunger 14 may be of conventional construction to impart the desired rigidity for reciprocal movement of the piston within the bore of the barrel.

As illustrated, the sheath member 16 is of generally elongate cylindrical or tubular configurationhaving a reduced diameter proximal portion 30 and an enlarged diameter distal portion 32. A pair of flanges 36 extend laterally in a radial direction from the enlarged diameter distal portion 32 of the sheath 16 near, but spaced from its distal end. As is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the reduced diameter proximal portion 30 of the sheath I6 is provided with internal friction ribs 34 spaced around the inner periphery thereof for frictionally engaging the outer cylindrical surface of the syringe barrel 12 for providing a sliding, frictional fit between the sheath I6 and the barrel 12. As illustrated, four frictional ribs 34 are provided, although it should be understood that any number of such ribs could be used to provide the desired frictional engagement. Both the distal and proximal ends of the sheath I6 are open, as illustrated at 38 and 40, respectively.

The cap 18 is provided for sealingly closing both the distal end portions of the sheath l6 and the syringe barrel 12. In particular, as noted in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cap comprises a distal closed end 42 and outer and inner concentric, cylindrical portions 44 and 46, respectively. The outer sealing portion 44 of the cap 18 has an internal diameter so as to provide a frictional fit with the external diameter of the enlarged distal portion 32 of the sheath 16, while the inner sealing portion 46 has an inner diameter so as to provide a frictional fit with the external diameter of the syringe barrel 12. In this manner, when the cap is placed over the ends of both the syringe barrel l2 and sheath l6, the inner and outer sealing portions 46 and 44, respectively close the open distal ends of the syringe barrel l2 and sheath 16. As illustrated at $8, the outer sealing portion 44 of the cap 18 may be heat staked to the sheath 16. In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 4, a label 5t) may be applied on the exterior of the sheath 16 for notation of the patients name, room number, etc. from which the sample is obtained.

In use, the sampling syringe it) of the present invention is provided to the technician or nurse assigned the responsibility of collecting a sample in its FIG. 1 configuration. That is, the plunger 14 is fully seated within the syring barrel l2 and the sheath 16 is advanced to the distal end of the syringe barrel 12 and the cap 18 sealingly closes both the distal ends of the sheath 16 and barrel 12. The cap i8 may be heat staked to the sheath to maintain this arrangement of the parts. To use the syringe for collecting a sample, whether the sample be liquid or solid, the cap 18 is removed after breaking the heat seal 48 by twisting the cap relative to the sheath. The sheath 16 is then moved rearwardly toward the proximal end of the syringe barrel 12, leaving the plunger 14 fully seated within the syringe barrel l2 and the distal tip of the syringe barrel is advanced into the sample to be collected. If the sample is in a liquid state, the plunger 14 is then withdrawn to aspirate the sample into the barrel 12, while if the sample is in a solid state, thrusting the syringe barrel 12 into the sample will cause a cylindrical core of the sample to embed within the bore of the barrel l2 forcing the plunger rearwardly. This position of the syringe is illustrated in FIG. 4.

With the sample contained within the bore of the barrel 12 of the syringe, the syringe is removed from the sample container and the sheath 16 is moved forwardly toward the distal end of the syringe barrel 12 until its distal end 38 is adjacent the distal end 20 of the syringe barrel 12. The cap i8 is thenseated on the distal end of the sampling syringe such that the inner sealing portion 46 of the cap seals the open distal end of the syringe barrel i2 and the outer sealing portion 44 seals the open distal end of the sheath 16.

In this configuration, it should be noted that the enlarged diameter distal portion 32 of the sheath 16 completely encloses the distal end of the syringe barrel 12 such that the contaminated outer surface of the distal end of the syringe barrel 12, which was previously inserted into the sample, is effectively enclosed to prevent contamination of the sample and to prevent the technician from contaminating himself by touching the outer surface of the syringe barrel. The sampling syringe with the fecal sample therein is then 'sent to the hospital or medical laboratory for analysis. At this time, a label 50 may be placed on the exterior of the sheath 16 with a notation as to the patients name, room number, etc. for identification purposes.

When it is desired to analyze the fecal specimen at the laboratory, cap 18 is removed by grasping the cap with one hand and the sheath and syringe barrel with the other hand and then imparting a twisting, separating motion to the cap. One or more test tubes, containing a preservative solution, are then arranged for receipt of the fecal sample from the sampling syringe. To eject the sample into the test tube, the distal ends of both of the syringe barrel l2 and sheath 16 are inserted into the test tube until the laterally extending flanges 36 on the sheath are seated upon the upper, open mouth of the test tube. The syringe barrel is thereafter advanced downwardly into the test tube until the open distal end 26 of the syringe barrel reaches the level of the preservative. At this point, the proximal end of the syringe barrel is grasped between the thumb and third finger of the technician and the plunger handle 28 is advanced with the index finger until either a portion or the entire sample is forced out of the bore of the syringe barrel and into the liquid in the test tube, i.e. when the plunger is fully seated within the syringe barrel such that the piston 26 is located at the distal open end 20 of the syringe barrel. With the sample in the test tube, the sampling syringe is then removed from the test tube and discarded, whereupon analysis of the sample is conducted in a conventional manner.

As will be noted from the above, complete protection of both the sample and the operator using the sampling syringe of this invention is afforded by the novel construction of this syringe in that the sample is wholly contained within the bore of the syringe barrel, and the contaminated exterior of the barrel is enclosed by the slidable sheath. In addition, a given quantity of the sample is easily deposited in the test tube for analysis without contaminating the inner side walls of the test tube with the specimen since the syringe barrel is inserted within the test tube to the surface of the liquid therein. While the invention has been described in connection with the collection of fecal samples, it should be understood that is may be used to collect and transport any desired sample, either solid or liquid.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results obtained.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. A sampling syringe comprising an elongate tubular syringe barrel, a plunger slidably received within the I bore of said barrel, a tubular sheath open at the proximal and distal ends thereof receiving said barrel, said sheath being axially rearwardly movable relative to said barrel from a first position in which a distal portion of said sheath covers a distal portion of said barrel to a second position in which said distal portion of said sheath is spaced proximally of said distal portion of said barrel to uncover said distal portion of said barrel for receiving a sample therein, said distal portion of said sheath having a greater inner diameter than the outer diameter of said distal portion of said barrel so that said distal portion of said sheath is spaced radially outwardly from said distal portion of said barrel when said sheath is in said first position, said sheath being axially forwardly movable relative to said barrel from said secend position to said first position.

2. A sampling syringe as set forth in claim 1 further including a removable cap for closing the distal end of said sheath when said sheath is in said first position.

3. A sampling syringe as set forth in claim 2 wherein said cap comprises inner and outer concentric sealing portions for respectively closing the distal end portions of said barrel and sheath.

4. A sampling syringe as set forth in claim 1 wherein a proximal portion of said sheath frictionally slidingly engages said barrel.

5. A sampling syringe as set forth in claim 4 wherein said proximal portion of said sheath has a smaller inner diameter than the inner diameter of said distal portion of said sheath.

portion of said sheath for closing the distal end thereof when said sheath is in said first position.

9. A sampling syringe as set forth in claim 8 wherein said sheath has a radially outwardly extending flange axially spaced from the distal end thereof.

10. A sampling syringe as set forth in claim 9 wherein said cap is heat staked to said distal portion of said sheath. 

1. A sampling syringe comprising an elongate tubular syringe barrel, a plunger slidably received within the bore of said barrel, a tubular sheath open at the proximal and distal ends thereof receiving said barrel, said sheath being axially rearwardly movable relative to said barrel from a first position in which a distal portion of said sheath covers a distal portion of said barrel to a second position in which said distal portion of said sheath is spaced proximally of said distal portion of said barrel to uncover said distal portion of said barrel for receiving a sample therein, said distal portion of said sheath having a greater inner diameter than the outer diameter of said distal portion of said barrel so that said distal portion of said sheath is spaced radially outwardly from said distal portion of said barrel when said sheath is in said first position, said sheath being axially forwardly movable relative to said barrel from said second position to said first position.
 2. A sampling syringe as set forth in claim 1 further including a removable cap for closing the distal end of said sheath when said sheath is in said first position.
 3. A sampling syringe as set forth in claim 2 wherein said cap comprises inner and outer concentric sealing portions for respectively closing the distal end portions of said barrel and sheath.
 4. A sampling syringe as set forth in claim 1 wherein a proximal portion of said sheath frictionally slidingly engages said barrel.
 5. A sampling syringe as set forth in claim 4 wherein said proximal portion of said sheath has a smaller inner diameter than the inner diameter of said distal portion of said sheath.
 6. The sampling syringe as set forth in claim 4 wherein said barrel has a greater axial length than said sheath.
 7. A sampling syringe as set forth in claim 6 wherein said barrel has a length relative to said sheath such that the proximal end of said barrel is proximally of the proximal end of said sheath in both of said first and second sheath positions.
 8. A sampling syringe as set forth in claim 7 further including a removable cap engageable with said distal portion of said sheath for closing the distal end thereof when said sheath is in said first position.
 9. A sampling syringe as set forth in claim 8 wherein said sheath has a radially outwardly extending flange axially spaced from the distal end thereof.
 10. A sampling syringe as set forth in claim 9 wherein said cap is heat staked to said distal portion of said sheath. 